Islanders Brace for Next Steps After Sudden Coaching Change

Players express shock but resolve to adapt to new coach Pete DeBoer with playoffs still in reach

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic energy of a hockey game, with overlapping geometric shapes in muted tones of blue, green, and gray, conveying the sense of transition and uncertainty surrounding the Islanders' coaching situation.The Islanders' coaching change injects uncertainty, but the players are determined to adapt and make the playoffs.NYC Today

The New York Islanders are reeling from the sudden firing of head coach Patrick Roy, less than 24 hours before their latest practice. Players like Mathew Barzal and Jean-Gabriel Pageau expressed surprise at the move but vowed to quickly buy into the system of new coach Pete DeBoer, an experienced bench boss who has led several teams to the conference finals.

Why it matters

The Islanders are in a tight playoff race, sitting just outside the postseason picture with four games left in the regular season. The coaching change injects uncertainty at a critical juncture, but the players are determined to adapt and make a late-season push for the playoffs.

The details

The Islanders dismissed Roy on Sunday, just days after the team's season-worst four-game losing streak put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Players defended Roy, saying he had not lost the locker room, and took responsibility for the team's struggles. Now they must quickly get up to speed on DeBoer's tactics and philosophy as they try to secure a playoff berth.

  • Patrick Roy was fired as Islanders head coach on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • The Islanders have four regular season games remaining after Roy's dismissal.

The players

Mathew Barzal

A 28-year-old forward who has played under five different Islanders head coaches during his NHL career.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

An Islanders player who expressed enthusiasm about learning from new coach Pete DeBoer and buying into his system.

Matthew Schaefer

A rookie Islanders player who spoke of the opportunity to learn from the accomplished new coach Pete DeBoer.

Anders Lee

The Islanders team captain who said the players still expect to make the playoffs despite the coaching change.

Brayden Schenn

An Islanders center who said the players must execute on the ice, as the coach can only do so much.

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What they’re saying

“When [John Tortorella] got hired in [Las] Vegas the other week, I kind of laughed, [coming] with eight games left. And then this happens. There was no sense of that.”

— Mathew Barzal, Islanders forward

“We all love Patty and wish that we could have done better over the last 10 days. You look in the mirror and there's chances that I missed … As competitors, you feel disappointment, just thinking you could have done more.”

— Mathew Barzal, Islanders forward

“He was being honest with us about what we can do better. He's had a lot of success everywhere he's been and we'll listen to everything he has to say. It's not gonna be a problem to buy into his system. It's exciting to have that little reset and fresh start.”

— Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Islanders player

“We've put ourselves in a position to expect to make the playoffs. We can go out there and get this thing done.”

— Anders Lee, Islanders captain

“It's on the players to execute.”

— Brayden Schenn, Islanders center

What’s next

The Islanders will play their first game under new head coach Pete DeBoer on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The takeaway

This sudden coaching change injects uncertainty into the Islanders' playoff push, but the players seem determined to quickly adapt to DeBoer's system and make a late-season run. The team's ability to execute on the ice will be crucial, as the new coach can only do so much to turn things around with just four games left.